Each Monday executive director Sheri Daniels introduces a member of the POL staff.

Tercia Ku was born in Hawai‘i, raised near Fairbanks, Alaska, graduated from Wai‘anae High School and University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Most of her professional career has been spent in clinical research and public health settings. She lives in a Hawaiian homestead community and is devoted to moving the needle in the Hawaiian health compass to effecting positive change.

Mirroring the health journeys of our communities, she will be sharing her personal story over the next few months.

I feel healthy. But according to “the experts,” I am obese (such an ugly word).

Starting the day after my birthday, I’ve committed myself to work on my daily habits: eating better and moving more. I am stating here and now that I commit to shed 20 pounds over the next 6 months. Monthly, that’s 3.33 pounds and that feels manageable. But weight isn’t everything, so I’m going to look at other metrics, too, to measure my success.

And I will be sharing my wellness journey—the triumphs and challenges—with you regularly. I am now accountable to someone other than myself.

I hope that you will stay connected as I document my journey to a healthier me!”